http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/
en-usKotter International - Change LeadershipKotter International's stories. Change Leadership: We cover strategy execution and change management.Copyright 2016 Forbes LLChttp://blogs-images.forbes.com/johnkotter/files/2015/12/Kotter-International_avatar_1450157400-400x400.pnghttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/11/29/the-power-of-saying-i-dont-know/
The Power Of Saying 'I Don't Know'What do you risk by assuming you know the answer to something? Try starting from the assumption that you don’t know. What subtleties do you discover? What nuances would you have missed if you assumed or speculated your way to the “right answer” based solely on your own knowledge bank?Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/583cc57764aaf96c55f20371Tue, 29 Nov 2016 07:30:00 -05002016-11-29T07:30:00-05:00What do you risk by assuming you know the answer to something? Try starting from the assumption that you don’t know. What subtleties do you discover? What nuances would you have missed if you assumed or speculated your way to the “right answer” based solely on your own knowledge bank?http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/11/22/why-your-company-isnt-innovating/
Why Your Company Isn't InnovatingYour definition of innovation is off. The words innovation and change are too often confused. People often lead change efforts relying on hope that results drop out at the end. Innovation is change with a purpose.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/5833838964aaf93de4c2e110Tue, 22 Nov 2016 07:50:00 -05002016-11-22T07:50:00-05:00Your definition of innovation is off. The words innovation and change are too often confused. People often lead change efforts relying on hope that results drop out at the end. Innovation is change with a purpose.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/11/03/coach-and-burberry-read-this-before-merging/
Coach And Burberry: Read This Before MergingLuxury M&A has historically failed to help retailers regain brand traction and shopper allure. Moreover, many M&A retail deals fall apart when there is no intentionality around how the companies are going to fit together, beyond melding financial statements and organizational structures. In short, leaders fail to ask the critical question, “What more could we become together?”Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/581ab83f64aaf93de4c283b9Thu, 3 Nov 2016 07:00:00 -04002016-11-03T07:00:00-04:00Luxury M&A has historically failed to help retailers regain brand traction and shopper allure. Moreover, many M&A retail deals fall apart when there is no intentionality around how the companies are going to fit together, beyond melding financial statements and organizational structures. In short, leaders fail to ask the critical question, “What more could we become together?”http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/09/26/continual-learners-and-learning-organizations-a-two-way-street-or-a-dead-end/
Continual Learners And Learning Organizations: A Two Way Street Or A Dead End?What does it mean to be a continuous learner in the 21st century – that is, someone who gets up every day with purpose, energy and curiosity? And what does it mean to be a continuously learning organization – teams who come to work every day unjaded, open and focused? Wouldn’t it make sense that these two be intrinsically linked?Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/57e5acd164aaf93de4c1b28aMon, 26 Sep 2016 07:00:00 -04002016-09-26T07:00:00-04:00What does it mean to be a continuous learner in the 21st century – that is, someone who gets up every day with purpose, energy and curiosity? And what does it mean to be a continuously learning organization – teams who come to work every day unjaded, open and focused? Wouldn’t it make sense that these two be intrinsically linked?http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/08/11/i-beg-of-you-take-a-vacation/
A Letter To Myself: Take A Vacation -- Your Organization And Family Will Thank YouHere in the U.S., we are just as bad when it comes to vacation days as we are with maternity leave. And that's not good.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/57aba7a564aaf96aaadc04aeThu, 11 Aug 2016 07:30:00 -04002016-08-11T07:30:00-04:00Here in the U.S., we are just as bad when it comes to vacation days as we are with maternity leave. And that's not good.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/08/09/what-the-u-s-womens-gymnastics-team-can-teach-organizations-about-learning-focused-leadership/
What The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Can Teach Organizations About Learning-Focused LeadershipWhen asked about inspirational leaders, many of us immediately think of former bosses or even our parents. Maybe it’s time to start to shift our thinking a bit. Can we begin to build and be inspired by younger leaders?Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/57a907c664aaf96aaadbf84cTue, 9 Aug 2016 07:00:00 -04002016-08-09T07:00:00-04:00When asked about inspirational leaders, many of us immediately think of former bosses or even our parents. Maybe it’s time to start to shift our thinking a bit. Can we begin to build and be inspired by younger leaders?http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/07/24/how-do-i-become-a-better-leader/
How Do I Become A Better Leader?What do people do when they do not lead? The truth is found in your calendar. The truth is in your meeting agendas. The truth is in the people you surround yourself with and the conversations you’re having with them. Day-work easily eats Future-work. Necessity easily trumps opportunity.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/579274b264aaf92fb3ebb4e1Sun, 24 Jul 2016 16:00:00 -04002016-07-24T16:00:00-04:00What do people do when they do not lead? The truth is found in your calendar. The truth is in your meeting agendas. The truth is in the people you surround yourself with and the conversations you’re having with them. Day-work easily eats Future-work. Necessity easily trumps opportunity.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/07/08/what-i-learned-about-leadership-from-pat-summitt/
What I Learned About Leadership From Pat SummittPat Summitt taught us that how leaders show up every single day – in the moments when it seems no one is looking – informs their ability to do this effectively, laying the foundation to build a legacy that outlives their individual impact.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/57800d2a64aaf9403d6472dcFri, 8 Jul 2016 17:17:00 -04002016-07-08T17:17:00-04:00Pat Summitt taught us that how leaders show up every single day – in the moments when it seems no one is looking – informs their ability to do this effectively, laying the foundation to build a legacy that outlives their individual impact.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/07/02/the-power-of-the-story-what-happens-when-two-old-friends-come-together/
The Power Of The Story: What Happens When Two Old Friends Come TogetherThere’s enough evidence today that the brain is hardwired for stories and by that I mean that they can easily slide into our minds with a bit of emotional punch that keeps them memorable and ‘sticky.’ If the story holds some basic lessons, then they have a chance of staying around over time and modifying what we do: changing actions, reinforcing behaviors, making us do what we do (or need to stop doing) with more confidence.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/5776d6ba64aaf9403d645528Sat, 2 Jul 2016 08:30:00 -04002016-07-02T08:30:00-04:00There’s enough evidence today that the brain is hardwired for stories and by that I mean that they can easily slide into our minds with a bit of emotional punch that keeps them memorable and ‘sticky.’ If the story holds some basic lessons, then they have a chance of staying around over time and modifying what we do: changing actions, reinforcing behaviors, making us do what we do (or need to stop doing) with more confidence.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/06/17/use-this-one-parenting-skill-and-become-a-better-manager/
Use This One Parenting Skill And Become A Better ManagerThe element missing in most business books is one of the softest and most powerful skills -- a skill that parents employ daily and instinctively: unconditional empathy.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/5763771164aaf93404532f99Fri, 17 Jun 2016 13:38:00 -04002016-06-17T13:38:00-04:00The element missing in most business books is one of the softest and most powerful skills -- a skill that parents employ daily and instinctively: unconditional empathy.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/06/02/winning-the-indy-500-by-running-out-of-fuel/
Winning The Indy 500 By Running Out Of FuelFor leaders, the lesson learned from Alexander Rossi's stunning Indy 500 win is one of bold strategy, audacious risk and trusted teamwork to achieve “impossible” results.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/574f4ced64aaf9337ca86be7Thu, 2 Jun 2016 07:10:00 -04002016-06-02T07:10:00-04:00For leaders, the lesson learned from Alexander Rossi's stunning Indy 500 win is one of bold strategy, audacious risk and trusted teamwork to achieve “impossible” results.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/05/04/three-ma-mistakes-that-could-derail-any-deal/
Three M&A Mistakes That Could Derail Any DealThree mistakes Alaska Airlines and Virgin America should avoid making that could easily derail a successful integration.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/57290f91e4b00967528a7a03Wed, 4 May 2016 07:00:00 -04002016-05-04T07:00:00-04:00Three mistakes Alaska Airlines and Virgin America should avoid making that could easily derail a successful integration.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/03/03/leadership-lessons-from-astronaut-scott-kelly/
Leadership Lessons From Astronaut Scott KellyAstronaut Scott Kelly’s return to Earth after 340 days on the International Space Station is not only an historic feat that pushes our understanding of space, aeronautics, science, technology and humanity, but teaches us some key lessons about daring and effective leadership as well.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/56d844b1e4b0d99cd21cfab0Thu, 3 Mar 2016 10:24:00 -05002016-03-03T10:24:00-05:00Astronaut Scott Kelly’s return to Earth after 340 days on the International Space Station is not only an historic feat that pushes our understanding of space, aeronautics, science, technology and humanity, but teaches us some key lessons about daring and effective leadership as well.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/02/26/3-reasons-why-han-solo-is-a-better-leader-than-you/
3 Reasons Why Han Solo Is A Better Leader Than YouLet’s be honest, Han Solo is a better leader than you.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/56cfe2d0e4b03a4118175630Fri, 26 Feb 2016 07:00:00 -05002016-02-26T07:00:00-05:00Let’s be honest, Han Solo is a better leader than you.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/02/16/bowie-leadership-turn-and-face-the-strange/
Bowie Leadership: Turn And Face The StrangeThree ways to embrace your inner-Bowie to become a more effective leader.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/56c20cd9e4b03a41181717c9Tue, 16 Feb 2016 07:00:00 -05002016-02-16T07:00:00-05:00Three ways to embrace your inner-Bowie to become a more effective leader.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/02/14/not-as-simple-as-be-mine-4-relationship-lessons-for-ma/
Not As Simple As 'Be Mine': 4 Relationship Lessons For M&AThe Heart of Mergers and AcquisitionsKotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/56bfadafe4b03a4118171138Sun, 14 Feb 2016 10:30:00 -05002016-02-14T10:30:00-05:00The Heart of Mergers and Acquisitionshttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/01/20/your-companys-top-innovation-weapon/
Your Company's Top Innovation WeaponYour "least likely" team members may have your company's next multi-million dollar idea.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/569ea2bce4b08dc4ac807f55Wed, 20 Jan 2016 07:00:00 -05002016-01-20T07:00:00-05:00Your "least likely" team members may have your company's next multi-million dollar idea.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/12/16/corporate-kindergarten-how-a-montessori-mindset-can-transform-your-business/
Corporate Kindergarten: How A Montessori Mindset Can Transform Your BusinessWhat Montessori students know about the future of leadership, corporate culture and innovation that you don't.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/567070c8e4b08dc4ac7fa5e6Wed, 16 Dec 2015 07:30:00 -05002015-12-16T07:30:00-05:00What Montessori students know about the future of leadership, corporate culture and innovation that you don't.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/11/13/overcoming-the-barriers-to-leading-change/
Overcoming The Barriers To Leading ChangeMany years ago, I was leading a small group of analysts in a U.S. government agency to produce a Congressionally-mandated report. My team worked tirelessly to obtain and analyze complex, national data and then produce the information in a way that was actionable by national, state and local governments. We had [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/56462902e4b0d9c1f6d87848Fri, 13 Nov 2015 14:21:00 -05002015-11-13T14:21:00-05:00Many years ago, I was leading a small group of analysts in a U.S. government agency to produce a Congressionally-mandated report. My team worked tirelessly to obtain and analyze complex, national data and then produce the information in a way that was actionable by national, state and local governments. We had [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/09/17/young-at-heart/
Young At HeartAs I write this, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of organizations in the United States alone moving predictably down a life cycle path. They start out fast and agile. Initially, they organize more as a network than as a hierarchy. They demonstrate a clear sense of urgency [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/55fb1abee4b08c2312f2ce82Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:00:00 -04002015-09-17T17:00:00-04:00As I write this, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of organizations in the United States alone moving predictably down a life cycle path. They start out fast and agile. Initially, they organize more as a network than as a hierarchy. They demonstrate a clear sense of urgency [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/08/31/why-leadership-development-programs-fail-revolutionizing-on-the-job/
Why Leadership Development Programs Fail: Revolutionizing On-The-JobIn response to an argument McKinsey made for why leadership development programs fail, we made two cases for how they succeed: when they set and communicate realistic expectations , and when they are built on solid, empirical research foundations . Going beyond the debate on why programs succeed or fail, [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/55e45bbee4b04c43ca37e3c9Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:38:00 -04002015-08-31T10:38:00-04:00In response to an argument McKinsey made for why leadership development programs fail, we made two cases for how they succeed: when they set and communicate realistic expectations , and when they are built on solid, empirical research foundations . Going beyond the debate on why programs succeed or fail, [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/07/09/why-leadership-development-programs-fail-weak-foundations/
Why Leadership Development Programs Fail: Weak FoundationsMcKinsey made an argument for why leadershipdevelopment programs fail. At Kotter International, we recognize the difficulty in successfully implementing these programs, but we also believe they can be a key component to helping you and your organization thrive in an increasingly complex world. Part 1 of this series highlighted the [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/559d7c11e4b0dee0681ff32fThu, 9 Jul 2015 09:43:00 -04002015-07-09T09:43:00-04:00McKinsey made an argument for why leadershipdevelopment programs fail. At Kotter International, we recognize the difficulty in successfully implementing these programs, but we also believe they can be a key component to helping you and your organization thrive in an increasingly complex world. Part 1 of this series highlighted the [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/06/04/why-leadership-programs-fail-its-not-what-you-think/
Why Leadership Programs Fail: It's Not What You ThinkMcKinsey recently made a case for why leadership programs often fail. Unfortunately, too many organizations would corroborate this case. Yet legions of leadership development professionals are still grinding out solutions and those very organizations are still spending what amounts to billions on them. Both providers and buyers are locked in [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/55707bb5e4b01f0c1d93460fThu, 4 Jun 2015 15:19:00 -04002015-06-04T15:19:00-04:00McKinsey recently made a case for why leadership programs often fail. Unfortunately, too many organizations would corroborate this case. Yet legions of leadership development professionals are still grinding out solutions and those very organizations are still spending what amounts to billions on them. Both providers and buyers are locked in [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2015/03/05/how-have-kotters-eight-steps-for-change-changed/
How Have Kotter's Eight Steps for Change Changed?Nextyear will mark the twentieth anniversary of John Kotter’s guide to change managementLeading Change, which introduced his 8-Step Process for Leading Changewithin an organization. The book was very influential, but since then the pace of change in the business world has sped up greatly. How do those eight steps look [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/54f779b6e4b058f5b4330153Thu, 5 Mar 2015 12:01:00 -05002015-03-05T12:01:00-05:00Nextyear will mark the twentieth anniversary of John Kotter’s guide to change managementLeading Change, which introduced his 8-Step Process for Leading Changewithin an organization. The book was very influential, but since then the pace of change in the business world has sped up greatly. How do those eight steps look [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2014/12/22/leadership-lessons-brought-to-you-by-the-letter-h/
Leadership Lessons: Brought to You by the Letter 'H'“H” is a magic letter. Yes, three is a magic number. Today, we are all about the “H,” no numbers. Sound familiar? My younger daughter is at the age where weekly spelling lists and quizzes are part of her routine, with 20 words every week. She gets them on Monday, she [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/54987efae4b041b666b2bb25Mon, 22 Dec 2014 17:01:00 -05002014-12-22T17:01:00-05:00“H” is a magic letter. Yes, three is a magic number. Today, we are all about the “H,” no numbers. Sound familiar? My younger daughter is at the age where weekly spelling lists and quizzes are part of her routine, with 20 words every week. She gets them on Monday, she [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2014/11/13/leading-with-education-a-critical-piece-of-the-results-puzzle/
Leading With Education: A Critical Piece of the Results Puzzle"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” &nbsp; Nelson Mandela’s words illustrate the profound impact of education on leadership. Not just the kind we get in school as kids or the on-the-job experiences we cobble together to learn life’s lessons, but the formal, focused, facilitated [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/54651975e4b0e125ae832156Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:45:00 -05002014-11-13T16:45:00-05:00"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” &nbsp; Nelson Mandela’s words illustrate the profound impact of education on leadership. Not just the kind we get in school as kids or the on-the-job experiences we cobble together to learn life’s lessons, but the formal, focused, facilitated [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2014/11/03/can-leadership-be-taught/
Can Leadership Be Taught?This is an old question, even a hackneyed one. Many might say that research and experience over the past decade or two demonstrate that leadership is far better learned than taught. On-the-job – and its first cousins action, experiential, and community learning – are held in the highest regard. The [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/5457ad37e4b0e125ae82ecb5Mon, 3 Nov 2014 12:40:00 -05002014-11-03T12:40:00-05:00This is an old question, even a hackneyed one. Many might say that research and experience over the past decade or two demonstrate that leadership is far better learned than taught. On-the-job – and its first cousins action, experiential, and community learning – are held in the highest regard. The [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2014/10/27/how-to-win-at-large-scale-transformation-hint-it-doesnt-involve-powerpoint/
How to Win at Large-Scale Transformation (Hint - It Doesn't Involve PowerPoint)While TV viewers turn the channel to the World Series and Sunday Night Football, companies seeking large-scale transformation could learn something by taking a look back at the outstanding success of the World Cup 2014 champions, the German Football Association. As highlighted by Gavin Newsham in his article “How Germany Reinvented [...]Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/544e6e28e4b0e125ae82c99eMon, 27 Oct 2014 14:39:00 -04002014-10-27T14:39:00-04:00While TV viewers turn the channel to the World Series and Sunday Night Football, companies seeking large-scale transformation could learn something by taking a look back at the outstanding success of the World Cup 2014 champions, the German Football Association. As highlighted by Gavin Newsham in his article “How Germany Reinvented [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2014/10/07/leadership-the-power-of-focus-and-of-thinking-differently/
Leadership: The power of focus. And of thinking differently.In tribute to the leadership of Steve Jobs, flash back to 1997, when Jobs had recently returned to the company after Apple's acquisition of NeXT. At an internal company meeting, Jobs talks about the reboot at Apple and reminds us that keeping our vision crystal clear and our actions highly focused are keys to future success.Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/54345be5e4b0563af2c4a83aTue, 7 Oct 2014 17:57:00 -04002014-10-07T17:57:00-04:00In tribute to the leadership of Steve Jobs, flash back to 1997, when Jobs had recently returned to the company after Apple's acquisition of NeXT. At an internal company meeting, Jobs talks about the reboot at Apple and reminds us that keeping our vision crystal clear and our actions highly focused are keys to future success.http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2014/10/03/best-of-blogs-innovation/
Best-Of Blogs: How To Encourage Innovation In Your CompanyDespite Apple’s success in proving its innovative chops once again, innovation remains a cryptic term for executives across all industries, who consistently wrestle with the question: "What is innovation, and how can we encourage it within our company?"Kotter International, ContributorKotter International, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/542eafabe4b0563af2c49316Fri, 3 Oct 2014 11:07:00 -04002014-10-03T11:07:00-04:00Despite Apple’s success in proving its innovative chops once again, innovation remains a cryptic term for executives across all industries, who consistently wrestle with the question: "What is innovation, and how can we encourage it within our company?"